By |March 14, 2015

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating a possible inappropriate relationship between Amanda Marshall, the U.S. Attorney in Oregon, and a subordinate in her office, The Oregonian reports. Marshall has taken a leave of absence for health reasons. The Office of the Inspector General is looking into the relationship of Marshall and assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin. Kerin tried to break off that relationship. Sources said he grew concerned enough at Marshall’s reaction that he reported it to his Justice Department superiors. Marshall was reportedly driving by his home and sending multiple texts, including several she sent telling him she knew what he was doing at the time.

Billy J. Williams, the acting U.S. Attorney for Oregon, declined to answer questions about Marshall’s departure. This is a crucial time in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Oregon, which is leading a sweeping influence-peddling investigation of former Gov. John Kitzhaber and his companion, Cylvia Hayes.

TCR's WEEKLY Criminal Justice Newsletter is FREE! Subscribe Here

Read Next

Robert Zauzmer, a Philadelphia federal prosecutor, has been named acting pardon attorney for the Department of Justice, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Zauzmer, who oversees appeals in the U.S. Attorney's Office, will review executive clemency requests sent to President Obama. On Zauzmer's recommendation, Obama can decide whether to pardon or commute sentences for inmates serving time for federal crimes. In 2013, Obama asked the Department of Justice to prioritize clemency requests from inmates serving long sentences under policies . . .

TCR AT A GLANCE

A Supreme Court ruling in June overruled the conviction of a sex offender for violating his probation after posting on Facebook. But that opens up a new legal minefield over limitations on internet access for anyone convicted of a crime, warns a Washington, DC attorney.

Children are more deeply affected by crime, both directly and indirectly, than previously realized, according to a sobering new research paper from University of Pennsylvania Law School. Bureaucracy and incompetence stand in the way of help.

Militias have made public statements of neutrality but they are growing increasingly close to a segment of the right. Va. Gov. Terry McAuliffe complains that "they had better equipment than the State Police.

The GEO Group has signed $774 million worth of federal contracts so far this year. Last year, its livelihood was threatened by an Obama Justice Department order to phase out federal contracts with private lockups.